The annual German Red Wine Competition (Deutscher Rotweinpreis), organized by the international wine magazine Vinum, exists since 1987. At that time, German red wine accounted for only about 15 percent of German wine production. Today, we are well over 35 percent. And not only the vineyard area planted with red grapes has expanded dramatically, but also the quality has improved considerably. Today, German red wine can compete with any red wine in the world, I believe. As a result, German red wines are increasingly appearing in the international wine market. Of course, given its location, they tend to be not like the fruity red wines we know from warmer countries, but lean and more elegant, with a lot of finesse.

This year, over 1300 wines were submitted for the competition. The wines were grouped into 8 categories.

26 German red wine producers were asked to enter the stage at the award ceremony of the 30th German Red Wine Award, which took place in the Fellbach “Alte Kelter” a few weeks ago. With 9 producers, the Pfalz was the most successful region, followed by Württemberg with 7 producers, Baden with 4 producers, Rheinhessen and the Ahr region with 3 producers each.

Picture: At the Ceremony in the Fellbach "Alte Keller" (Photo: Facebook)

Pictures: Tasting Room, Christian G.E.Schiller with Manfred Aufricht and View of the Aufricht Estate and Vineyard with Lake Constance. See: The Lake Wines of the Aufricht Brothers, from Lake Constance in Germany

This year, Collegium Vini, an association of winelovers in the Frankfurt am Main region, had the final event of 2016, the Holiday Dinner, at Scharffs Schlossweinstube in Heidelberg. Chef Thomas Scharff prepared a wonderful 4-course menu. Winemaker/ owner Thomas Simon of Weingut Kassner-Simon in Freinsheim in the Pfalz region poured and introduced us to his excellent wines. The dinner was preceeded by a tour of the Heidelberger Schloss.

Scharffs Schlossweinstube

Scharffs Schlossweinstube is a 1 Star Michelin Restaurant located right in the middle of the Heidelberg castle. You dine and wine at 1 star Michelin level in the famous Heidelberger Schloss.

Pictures: Restaurant Schlossweinstube

Michelin Guide: This restaurant is situated in the midst of the world famous ruins of Heidelberg Castle. It boasts various historic dining rooms and a lovely terrace with a view of the castle courtyard. In the kitchen Martin Scharff works alongside a talented chef who combines a modern culinary style with sophisticated presentation.

Martin Scharff

Martin Scharff was awarded a Michelin star at age 27, when he was the Chef at Restaurant Hotel Eisenkrug in Dinkelsbühl (between 1991 and 2001). Since then he has been awarded a Michelin star for 25 consecutive years. When Chef Martin Scharff received the Michelin star for the first time, he was the youngest chef of a Michelin-starred restaurant in Germany.

Pictures: Chef Martin Scharff and Christian Schiller

In 2012, Martin Scharff took over the various restaurants of the Heidelberger Schloss, including the Schlossweinstube.

Pictures: Chef Martin Scharff and Klaus Schubäus, Collegium Vini

Martin Scharff is also known for providing the catering for the Berlinale and the Bambi Awards. In the earlier years of his career, he also worked with Jörg Müller in Westerland and Harald Wohlfahrt in Baiersbronn.

Pictures: Chef Martin Scharff with Annette and Christian Schiller

Weingut Kassner-Simon

Weingut Kassner-Simon is a 1 grape Gault Millau Weingut in the Pfalz. The vineyard area totals 16,5 hectares. Weingut Kassner-Simon came into being in 1949, when Mathilde Kassner married Willi Simon. Today it is run by Thomas Simon. Weingut Kassner-Simon has 1 grape in the Gault Millau Guide.

Sommelier Onel-Onelio Mordes y Fernandez (who was borne in Cuba) selected the producer: We like to show hidden gems, wineries that are not yet in the limelight but produce top level wines. That‘s why we chose Weingut Kassner-Simon for this event.

Tour of the Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle is one of Germany‘s most famous castles. In fact, it is a ruin, because the castle has only been partially rebuilt since its demolition in the 17th and 18th centuries. The earliest castle structure was built before 1214 and later expanded into two castles circa 1294; however, in 1537, a lightning-bolt destroyed the upper castle. The present structures had been expanded by 1650, before damage by later wars and fires. In 1764, another lightning-bolt caused a fire which destroyed some rebuilt sections.

Wine Tours

About Me

I live in the greater Washington DC (US) and Frankfurt am Main (Germany) areas and write about wine. I am a member of the FIJEV (International Federation of Wine and Spirits Journalists and Writers). Before starting to write about wine in 2009, I was for almost 30 years an economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). I am currently in Washington DC.